Daywatch: Brandon Johnson to be sworn in as Chicago’s 57th mayor. How did he get here?

Good morning, Chicago.

Today, Brandon Johnson officially becomes Chicago’s 57th mayor.

The 47-year-old will be sworn in at the Credit Union 1 Arena on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus along with 50 members of the City Council, Clerk Anna Valencia and Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin.

For the politicians being sworn in and those who will work for them, it’s an opportunity to lead the city of Chicago toward what they say will be a happier and healthier community. We’ll hear big promises being made today. Some will be kept and some will be broken.

It’s also a quadrennial reminder to be careful what you wish for because you might just get it.

All eyes today will be on Johnson as he takes the oath of office and, with it, begins addressing a series of critical issues facing Chicago. Even as the city emerges from the COVID-19 emergency, Johnson must deal with the escalating number of migrants being bused here from the border, select a future leader of the Chicago Police Department, make decisions essential to the city’s fiscal future and help spearhead changes at Chicago Public Schools.

Johnson enters office as arguably the most progressive mayor Chicago’s ever had and made promises on the campaign trail about bringing sweeping changes to City Hall following four tumultuous years under Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

How many he implements remains to be seen.

Can he reopen the mental health clinics closed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel even though top Chicago Department of Public Health officials think it is better to give grants to outside organizations? Can he convince Springfield to send more money to the city’s schools? Can he inspire a city that embraced Lightfoot, who received more than 70% of the vote in 2019 before being rejected with 17% of the vote in 2023?

We’ll likely hear many of those promises — and more — today as Johnson delivers his inaugural address around 10:30 a.m. We’ll be streaming the speech online at chicagotribune.com as Chicago’s newest mayor sets the tone for what’s in store for the coming four years.

Alice Yin, A.D. Quig and I will have you covered, as always. And sign up for The Spin newsletter, your essential take on local politics, delivered every weekday.

— Gregory Pratt

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Brandon Johnson: His rise from union organizer to Chicago’s new progressive mayor, and the challenges he inherits

Brandon Johnson will be sworn in as Chicago’s 57th mayor on Monday, kicking off a new era at City Hall he promises will be the city’s most progressive and transformative administration yet.

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